Colorado court: Some pot cases can be overturned

By Associated Press&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Thu 1:44 PM, Mar 13, 2014

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado's second-highest court says some people convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana can ask for those convictions to be thrown out under the law that legalized recreational marijuana in the state.

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that people whose cases were under appeal when Amendment 64 took effect in December 2012 are eligible to have their convictions reversed.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney General John Suthers says prosecutors are reviewing the opinion to determine any next steps.

Marijuana advocate Brian Vicente says the ruling could affect hundreds of people who were given jail terms for petty marijuana offenses.

The case involved a woman who was convicted of multiple drug charges, including possession of about a third of an ounce of marijuana. Amendment 64 decriminalized possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.